Top defensive prospects set to visit Redskins park

Per reports from various different sources, the defensive coaching staff of the Washington Redskins will likely be very busy the next few weeks, as they’ll be meeting with some of the top defensive prospects from the 2011 NFL Draft.

Fairley and Dareus have both been projected as the top overall pick in various mock drafts this offseason. However, Fairley’s stock appears to be dropping after concerns about his lack of prototype size for the position (6’4, 291 lbs), and the performance of Dareus at the scouting combine. Todd McShay of ESPN’s Scouts Inc. has projected Dareus as being selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers, in his most recent mock draft.

While it’s certainly questionable whether Fairley and/or Dareus will still be around when the Redskins are set to make their first round selection (10th overall), Kerrigan is a prospect who has been projected to go anywhere from the early ‘teens to mid 20’s in the first round.

At 6-4 and 267 lbs, Kerrigan was a defensive end in college, but many teams feel that he’s optimally suited to convert to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He’s considered to be a notch below “elite” in terms of his pure pass rushing skills, but his motor and work ethic have been highly praised by scouts and personnel men alike.